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Javier Lopez eyeing return in 2017 [report]

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Though rumored to be leaning toward retirement, former Giants free agent reliever Javier Lopez, 39, is reportedly looking to play in 2017, assuming he finds an ‘acceptable fit.’

Acquired by the Giants in a midseason deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Lopez (along with fellow free agents Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla) was a member of all three San Francisco World Series teams, and for years has been considered one of the best left-handed specialists in all of baseball.

Though Lopez’s 4.05 ERA would seem to indicate that he took a step back in 2016, we argued that the Giants should re-sign Lopez, as left-handed hitters hit just .208 off of him last season, a fraction above their career average of .202. Getting out lefties has always been Lopez’s job, and despite his age, he is still one of the best in all of baseball at doing that.